Counting Lions

The Lovereading4Kids comment

Shortlisted for the inaugural Klaus Flugge Prize, an important new illustration prize for children's books. From one regal lion to ten zebras, these superb full-page black and white drawings give readers the chance to get close to nature’s wildest creatures. A self-taught artist, Stephen Walton commands attention with arresting charcoal portraits of wild animals and this book stands out as different. Tony Ross expressed real admiration, remarking that: ‘I couldn’t draw like that, and I’d really like to.’

Lovereading4kids's expert reviewer, Julia Eccleshare is the Chair of the Judges of the Klaus Flugge Prize, she said: “We asked the judges to consider technique and artistic ability, and they chose also to take into account the illustrators’ skill at characterisation. The discussion was lively and wide ranging and the final shortlist features exciting and extremely talented illustrators. The Klaus Flugge Prize is very important, the only one to recognise new illustrator talent at this crucial early stage in a career and we look forward to watching all six of the shortlisted illustrators develop.”

Synopsis

Counting Lions by Virginia McKenna, Katie Cotton

An art-inspired gift that makes learning to name and explore wildlife a family adventure. Larger-than-life black and white drawings are paired with poetic texts that reveal the ways in which endangered creatures - including lions, elephants, giraffes, tigers, gorillas, penguins, Ethiopian wolves, macaws, turtles and zebras - live on Earth. Artworks by wildlife artist Stephen Walton are rendered in charcoal and give little ones the chance to get up close and personal with nature's wildest creatures. Virginia McKenna - actress and wildlife campaigner - has written a foreword which urges us to look at the beauty of these animals and do all we can to save them.

A 5% royalty will be donated to her Born Free foundation.

Reviews

This looks stunning: get up close and personal with some of nature's wildest creatures in spectacular full-page drawings. Selected for the non-fiction category in the Children's Previews. -- Fiona Noble The Bookseller

These striking drawings enthral - there could not be a more pleasurable way of learning to count from one to 10 while discovering about animals along the way ... a splendid book Kate Kellaway The New Review

About the Author

VIRGINIA MCKENNA OBE starred in the iconic film Born Free with her husband Bill Travers before setting up Zoo Check in 1984. Zoo Check later became the registered charity The Born Free Foundation, which takes action around the world to rescue vulnerable animals from appalling lives of misery in tiny cages in zoos, and give them lifetime care in spacious bush sanctuaries. As well as travelling extensively around the world in her work with Born Free, Virginia has authored many books and speaks at numerous events, while supporting many other charitable organisations. She lives in the Surrey Hills, England.

KATIE COTTON studied English at Oxford University before becoming an author and editor of children's books. She lives and works in London.